Carpet Heater Vent Grommets. Rubber style. Where & How?

[matthew henricks]

Just got a carpet set from a reputable supplier and not pleased with the carpet heater vent grommet. I know i can buy pre 1960 metal ones but would like to go original.

Anyone know where to get these OR how to remove and recover from your old carpet.

What i got.

My old carpet.

I read in this thread about soaking but not sure i read it right.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=533501

Has anyone done this?

[Sahara74]

Here is one option to consider.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7866749&highlight=#7866749

[matthew henricks]

No there is an idea. Instead of Plaster of Paris i could use silicone for a better mold. Will have to try that.

[matthew henricks]

Still would be interested in other ideas

[marklee]

cut them off carefully with a scalpel blade and use contact adhesive to glue them back on the new carpet. Thats exactly what I did to mine
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[matthew henricks]

[pastellgreen]

I salvaged one and applied it to the new carpet. Came out as one piece.

[rcooled]

Looks like your carpet might've come from the same manufacturer as mine did. I didn't like the trim around the vent openings either, so I had an auto upholstery shop re-do them for me. They're not exactly like the original grommets, but I think they turned out much better than trying to re-use the old ratty ones from the original carpet.

Just for reference, the carpet kit from Newton Commercial for my Karmann Ghia came with heat-formed grommets around the heater vents, gearshift lever and handbrake openings that are very similar to OEM.
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[House]

I would be interested in purchasing a few pairs if you make extras...

[matthew henricks]

Thanks Rcooled. I'll just looked them up. Could not find any good images on their web site so i emailed them.

House. If i make a mold and it works i will make more than one set.


Anyone.... There has go to be an NOS one Somewhere. Mold will be alot better that way.

[matthew henricks]

Success today and i think i know how these were made.

I cut the one i have still out of my old carpet and believe it or not soaking under hot water and gently pulling at the carpet threads eventually released the vinyl. Took about 15 minutes.

Vinyl you say???

Yes. I am convinced that all this is made from is a black piece of vinyl with a light pattern on it. The backing is for sure scrap door panel vinyl. I think the two are simply head seamed together. The three rings you see are the head seams/heater unit forming the gasket. The inside is perminantly seamed to the backing and the middle and outer are just seam pressed to melt into the carpet. The back side has no glue or residue in the areas not seamed and the carpet is embedded into the vinyl.

Can't tell if they started with an oval or if the tool cut out the inside and outside oval. Being wool i am not sure if that would work.

So.... Not sure if molding this is the right path or if making a seamer. If i mold it then the material has to be flexible.

Would love to hear feedback on my theory.